About
Auburn’s Chemical Engineering program began in 1913, with the first graduate degrees awarded in 1919 and the doctoral program starting in 1974. Women have been integral to the department’s growth, with Esther Thompson Spencer being one of the first female graduates in 1918-1919. The program has consistently attracted large undergraduate classes and expanded significantly since the 1950s.
In the 1970s and 80s, energy research was a major focus, along with new expertise in catalysis, materials engineering, biotechnology, and space-related research. The Pulp and Paper Research and Education Center (now ACPABE) was established in 1985 to support the pulp and paper industry.
The 1990s saw the addition of expertise in process systems engineering, supercritical fluid technology, and more. The Center for Microfibrous Materials Manufacturing (CM3) was established in 1996. The 2000s brought further growth in areas like biomedical engineering and nanotechnology.
Major facility renovations in 2002 and 2006 have greatly enhanced the department’s capabilities.
